Our Masonic Family
The Masonic family is a loosely defined grouping of those bodies with practices and beliefs complementary to Freemasonry that also either restricts their membership to regular Freemasons in good standing or to relatives of regular Freemasons in good standing. Those organizations restricted to Freemasons are generally termed concordant while those restricted to relatives, or requiring a Freemason as sponsor, are generally termed appendant. There is little agreement on the use of these terms; in the narrowest sense only the Scottish and York Rites are styled concordant while the Shrine and Grotto, not conferring degrees, would be defined as Masonic clubs.
Adding to the confusion, some Craft Grand Lodge jurisdictions will recognize those bodies by constitutionally recording that they are simply "in amity" with them. Not all Grand Lodges will recognize the same bodies. The important point is to understand that these bodies, and the various degrees they confer, are auxiliary or additional, and not superior to Craft Freemasonry.
Following are just a few of the many organizations which include youth organizations, within the family of Freemasonry. More detailed information is available on the following pages.
York Rite Masonry
The York Rite is the other major concordant body of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed to supplement or amplify the Craft Degrees, affording historical background on the work and meaning of Freemasonry.
Within the York Rite, a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies — Chapter of Royal Arch Masons,
Council of Royal and Select Masters, and
Commandery of Knights Templar.
The York Rite takes its name from the old English city of York. It is said that Athelstan, a British king, was converted to Christianity in York and that he granted the original charter to the masons guilds in that city nearly a thousand years ago. The York Rite is not a religion. Like the Craft Lodge, the Chapter and the Council are based upon the building of King Solomon’s Temple. The Commandery has a theme of Christian chivalry.
Order of the Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Worldwide, there are approximately 1 million members under the General Grand Chapter.
Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with spiritual values but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love brought about through high principles exemplified in our lives which makes us near and dear to each other.
While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions, it is open to all faiths, except no faith. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all of those in the Eastern Star and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever we can.
The stated purposes of the organization are: Charitable, Educational, Fraternal and Scientific; but there is much more to it than that. Dr. Rob Morris, the Poet Laureate of Masonry, founded the Order using beautiful and inspiring biblical examples of heroic conduct and moral values. These portray the noble principles which should adorn the personal lives of Eastern Star members. Eastern Star strives to take good people and through uplifting and elevating associations of love and service, and through precept and example, build an Order which is truly dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness.
Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem
The White Shrine is a not-for-profit body organized under a charter of incorporation dated October 23, 1894, and recorded in the office of Recorder of the State of Illinois on June 18, 1895. It is an international organization with Shrines throughout the United States and Canada.
The purpose of the White Shrine is threefold: Spiritual, Charitable, and Fraternal. Its aim is to bring together men and women of high moral and social character to share their desire to spread the Gospel, aid and assist those less fortunate, and create enjoyable experiences for themselves.
Membership in the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem consists of ladies who have a relationship through birth, marriage or legal adoption to a Master Mason in good standing or who was in good standing at the time of his death in some regular Masonic Lodge, or Master Masons in good and regular standing and who have no restraining factors placed on them by their specific Grand Lodge, as well as members either active for three years or majority of the Internation Order of Rainbow for Girls or Job's Daughters Internation who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years of age. Petitions for membership, based on Rainbow or Job's Daughters membership, shall include a recommendation signed by a Master Mason in Good Standing.
Like the members of the Masonic Lodge and other appendant bodies, members of the White Shrine must profess a belief in a Supreme Being. However, the White Shrine goes one step further, requiring members to profess a belief in Jesus Christ as the Saviour and Redeemer of the World. Our Order does not attempt to replace the Church. Rather, it enriches the teachings of the Church. It is a very effective means of spreading the Simple Gospel of the Prince of Peace.
Order of DeMolay
DeMolay is an organization dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today. DeMolay combines this serious mission with a fun approach that builds important bonds of friendship among members in more than 1,000 chapters worldwide.
DeMolay alumni include Walt Disney, John Wayne, Walter Cronkite, football Hall-of-Famer Fran Tarkenton, legendary Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne, news anchor David Goodnow and many others. Each has spoken eloquently of the life-changing benefit gained from their involvement in DeMolay.
Jobs Daughters
Job's Daughters is an organization for young women ages 10 - 20. Each local group is called a Bethel (chapter). The members elect the top five officers and the remaining officers are appointed. Each corps of officers serves for six months.
The organization is based on the teachings of the book of Job, 42nd Chapter, 15th verse,
"In all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job, and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren".
The organization provides a safe place for: social enjoyment; community service; planning and organizing various events; developing leadership and social skills; and training in financial planning and budgeting.
Opportunities for travel and making life-long friends are only a small part of membership in this international organization.